IGT 05/18 - DC @ NYC

[Edgy MD]

Mets pick a first-place battle and smoking hot rivalry to schedule a Bark at the Park game. WOOF! Can I get in free? WOOF-WOOF!

Gio Gonzalez comes to town at 2-1, 1.93, but the Mets proved tonight they don't need Daniel Murphy to take down an ace.

Bartolo Colon (3-2, 3.53) stands up for the good guys. He's got 221 pelts on the wall, and Gio Gonzalez's is as good a candidate for the 222nd as any.

[Zvon]

I'm still on West Coast time. I should never drink coffee after 10pm.

[G-Fafif]

Though we wish for a replica of the 05/17 result, this IGT should be dated 05/18.

[Edgy MD]

It's still spring training for me.

[Edgy MD]

I'm somewhat heartened to hear Wright considered himself ready to go and reacted negatively on the field when told he was being scratched. Hopefully, that means a DL trip isn't imminent or anything.

He should have had Harvey argue him back into the lineup.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Washington at NY Mets
When: 7:10 PM ET, Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Where: Citi Field, New York City, New York
http://www.sportsdirectinc.com/SportsDirect Inc.>

Returning home was the perfect elixir for the New York Mets, who have a chance to move into first place in the National League East when they host the Washington Nationals on Wednesday in the second of a three-game set. The Mets moved within a half-game of division-leading Washington and snapped a four-game skid with a 2-0 victory in the series opener.

New York went with a patchwork lineup in the series opener as corner infielders David Wright and Lucas Duda were both sidelined due to back issues. Curtis Granderson, who was 2-for-19 in his previous five games, picked up the slack by reaching base on all four plate appearances, including a leadoff homer in the first inning that gave the Mets the only run they would need. The Nationals have scored two runs during their three-game losing streak and have collected a total of 17 hits during that span. Washington second baseman Daniel Murphy went 1-for-3 in his first trip back to Citi Field and saw his major league-leading batting average drop one point below .400.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (2-1, 1.93 ERA) vs. Mets RH Uncle Bartolo (3-2, 2.53)

Gonzalez rebounded from his worst start of the season by holding Miami to two runs (zero earned) on six hits over five innings in his second straight no-decision last time out. The 30-year-old veteran was rocked for five runs in 5 2/3 innings in his previous turn at the Chicago Cubs -- the only start in which he has allowed more than two earned runs. Gonzalez is 9-4 with a 2.66 ERA against New York, but must be wary of Juan Lagares, who is 10-for-26 against him.

Matched up against Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw, Colon put the Mets in a 4-0 first-inning hole and wound up charged with five runs on seven hits over five innings to snap his five-start unbeaten string. The soon-to-be 43-year-old Dominican, who did not allow more than three runs in either of his first six starts, is 3-5 with a 3.17 ERA lifetime against the Nationals. Ben Revere has been mired in a deep slump for Washington, but he is 8-for-21 against Colon.

WALK-OFFS:
1. Mets LF Michael Conforto homered Tuesday to run his hitting streak to five games.
2. Nationals RF Bryce Harper is 0-for-9 over the past three games.
3. Mets LHP Steven Matz (forearm), who had to skip his last turn, will pitch a bullpen session Wednesday and is expected to start Friday.

[Lefty Specialist]

Let's hope Bartolo has gotten that whole 'give up lots of runs in the first two innings' thing out of his system.

[Frayed Knot]

Lefty Specialist wrote: Let's hope Bartolo has gotten that whole 'give up lots of runs in the first two innings' thing out of his system.

Or that off the field distractions don't start becoming an issue
The 42-year-old hurler has been dragged into Manhattan court by Alexandra Santos, 38, who claims the $7 million-a-year player, and married father with four sons, is a deadbeat dad who failed to pay child support for two elementary-school-age kids he fathered with her ...

[Edgy MD]

"Big Sexy" ain't no lie.

[ashie62]

Hope to see Lagares tonight. He has gone 8-26 against Gio.

Bartolo, keep them out of your breadbasket.

[Zvon]

Very interesting and telling photos. Reportedly of when TC was telling the Capt that he was riding the bench. I have never seen Collins with these expressions on his face. Some serious shit.

[soupcan]

Frayed Knot wrote: Lefty Specialist wrote: Or that off the field distractions don't start becoming an issue The 42-year-old hurler has been dragged into Manhattan court by Alexandra Santos, 38, who claims the $7 million-a-year player, and married father with four sons, is a deadbeat dad who failed to pay child support for two elementary-school-age kids he fathered with her ...

Non-story really. It's been ongoing for over a year and his wife has complete knowledge of it.

[Ceetar]

soupcan wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: Lefty Specialist wrote: Or that off the field distractions don't start becoming an issue The 42-year-old hurler has been dragged into Manhattan court by Alexandra Santos, 38, who claims the $7 million-a-year player, and married father with four sons, is a deadbeat dad who failed to pay child support for two elementary-school-age kids he fathered with her ... Non-story really. It's been ongoing for over a year and his wife has complete knowledge of it.

yeah but it's not real until the post discovers it obviously.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Or until one of the internet 'reporters' Tweets his feelings about it.

[Benjamin Grimm]

It's not really real until the CPF's "Baby Mama Watch" thread reports on it.

[Ceetar]

d'Kong76 wrote: Or until one of the internet 'reporters' Tweets his feelings about it.

yes once Adam Rubin throws a fit about something you know it's real.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Ceetar wrote: yes once Adam Rubin throws a fit about something you know it's real.

He's legit, I was thinking of someone else a little lesser so but I ain't
naming names here hahaha...

[Frayed Knot]

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (2-1, 1.93 ERA) vs. Mets RH Uncle Bartolo (3-2, 2.53) Gonzalez rebounded from his worst start of the season by holding Miami to two runs (zero earned) on six hits over five innings in his second straight no-decision last time out. The 30-year-old veteran was rocked for five runs in 5 2/3 innings in his previous turn at the Chicago Cubs -- the only start in which he has allowed more than two earned runs. Gonzalez is 9-4 with a 2.66 ERA against New York, but must be wary of Juan Lagares, who is 10-for-26 against him.

Gonzalez is having a good season -- 1.93 ERA over 7 starts -- but has only a 2-1 record to show for it. Run support is obviously a factor but his biggest problem is that he either walks too many or throws too many pitches even when not walking guys. It's why he averages only 6 innings/start despite the otherwise good numbers. In his last two starts he threw 100 pitches in 5.2 innings, and 106 in just 5.0
I suspect Duda sits another day because of the lefty starter even if the back is better, but this game is the best chance to get into their middle relief early.

[Guest d'Kong76]

GRANDERSON RF
LAGARES CF
WRIGHT 3B
CESPEDES LF
WALKER 2B
CABRERA SS
CAMPBELL 1B
PLAWECKI C
COLON P

[Guest d'Kong76]

REVERE F
WERTH LF
HARPER RF
MURPHY 2B
ZIMMERMAN 1B
RENDON 3B
ESPINOSA SS
LOBATON C
GONZALEZ P

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Wright talked his way in. The beaters made it seem like that was a question.

[Lefty Specialist]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: It's not really real until the CPF's "Baby Mama Watch" thread reports on it.

I'm guessing she's more 'Pole Dancer' than 'Schoolboy Sweetheart'.

[Zvon]

No Conforto? WhaRyAdoIN TC? Is Conforto that bad .vs righties? I want Conforto in there everyday!


OE: I also entered some contest and picked Conforto to be tops in RBI this series.

[TransMonk]

I'm OK with putting in Laggy instead of Conforto vs. Gio (LHP).

Michael is only batting .154 against LHP this season. Four singles. Lagares is batting .296 with one double against LHP.

Both are small ample sizes (about 27 ABs for each), but I think this is the right call today.

[Zvon]

TransMonk wrote: I'm OK with putting in Laggy instead of Conforto vs. Gio (LHP). Michael is only batting .154 against LHP this season. Four singles. Lagares is batting .296 with one double against LHP. Both are small ample sizes (about 27 ABs for each), but I think this is the right call today.

Ahhh, thank you. I'm pacified.

But winning that contest will be really tough. He's tied with Grandy w/1 RBI so far.

[Benjamin Grimm]

No offense, but I'd rather see the Mets win three games against Washington this week than see you win a thousand Conforto-RBI online contests.

[ashie62]

TransMonk wrote: I'm OK with putting in Laggy instead of Conforto vs. Gio (LHP). Michael is only batting .154 against LHP this season. Four singles. Lagares is batting .296 with one double against LHP. Both are small ample sizes (about 27 ABs for each), but I think this is the right call today.

This.

[Frayed Knot]

Also, as mentioned above, Lagares is 10-26 (.384) against Gio G
Plus you get your best fielders in against behind the lowest K pitcher.

[Zvon]

Okay, I'm sold already.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Plus Conforto can still hit a pinch hit grand slam in the 8th and everyone wins.